CVE-2015-4494 in Firefox OS
Summary
by MITRE
Mozilla Firefox OS before 2.2 does not require the wifi-manage privilege for reading a Wi-Fi system message, which allows attackers to obtain potentially sensitive information via a crafted app.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/01/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-4494 affects Mozilla Firefox OS versions prior to 2.2, representing a critical security flaw in the operating system's privilege management mechanisms. This issue stems from insufficient access controls within the Wi-Fi system message handling framework, where the operating system fails to properly validate whether applications possess the necessary wifi-manage privilege before allowing them to read Wi-Fi system messages. The flaw essentially creates an unauthorized information disclosure channel that can be exploited by malicious applications to access sensitive network configuration data and potentially compromise the overall security posture of devices running vulnerable versions of Firefox OS.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the absence of proper privilege checking within the system message processing pipeline for Wi-Fi related communications. When applications attempt to read Wi-Fi system messages, the operating system should verify that the requesting application has been granted the wifi-manage permission, which is typically restricted to system-level applications and trusted components. However, in affected versions, this verification process is bypassed, allowing any application to access Wi-Fi system messages that would normally be restricted. This represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege and demonstrates a failure in the operating system's mandatory access control mechanisms. The vulnerability can be categorized under CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, specifically focusing on insufficient privilege checks and inadequate authorization mechanisms within the system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with access to potentially sensitive network configuration data that could be leveraged for further exploitation. An attacker with a malicious application installed on a vulnerable device could extract Wi-Fi network credentials, SSID information, network security settings, and other configuration parameters that might reveal network topology details or identify potential targets for additional attacks. This information could be particularly valuable in targeted attacks against enterprise networks or in credential harvesting campaigns where attackers seek to establish persistent access to wireless networks. The vulnerability also represents a significant concern for mobile device security, as it undermines the fundamental security model of Firefox OS and could potentially enable man-in-the-middle attacks or network reconnaissance activities that would otherwise be prevented by proper privilege enforcement.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with several techniques documented in the ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to privilege escalation and information gathering. Attackers could utilize this flaw as part of a broader attack chain to establish persistence and move laterally within compromised networks. The vulnerability also demonstrates characteristics of credential access and defense evasion techniques, as it allows unauthorized applications to access system-level information that would normally be protected. Organizations using Firefox OS devices should prioritize updating to version 2.2 or later, which implements proper privilege validation for Wi-Fi system messages. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous application behavior related to network access and system message reading activities. The remediation process involves ensuring that all applications requesting Wi-Fi system message access are properly authenticated and authorized through the standard privilege management framework, thereby restoring the intended security boundaries within the operating system.